What are some jobs that I could do on the sea?

Question

I love being on the water. I know there is fishing and marine biology, but what else?

Answer 1

mmi

Marine Mechanics Institute.

learn how to fix boat engines.

Answer 2

Well if you really want to make a career out of it. Go to one of the academies (California Maritime Academy is my choice) and earn a degree in either Marine Transportation or Engineering (again my choice) Or like some one said look into the SIU and get into their apprentice program. From there you could work on deck, in the engine room, or in the steward dept, as a cook or utility. It really depends on what you like. If you like mechanics then go Engine, if you like to sit around drink coffee and look out and steer the boat, then go deck and become a mate....lol. Not sure what area you are in, but the west coast has a lot of shipping opportunities.

EDIT: Hey Cap. I have to tell you I have seen cattle ranchers on ships believe it or not. I worked on a container ship from the West Coast to Hawaii and we had a few cattle containers and we actually carried a cowboy.

Answer 3

I've been looking into doing something different & interesting for the summer & I came across some interesting job opportunities on the water. Some are temporary or seasonal, but they provide room & board. If you search, they probably offer full time permanent positions as well.

http://www.summerjobs.com/do/details/700...

https://apply.coolworks.com/lindblad/job...

http://www.cruisewest.com/careers/aboutj...

Answer 4

Contact Seafarers International Union. They have a training program if you want to be a merchant seaman.

Answer 5

WOW man... just about any job you can find on land, now days, you can find on the sea... you can be a policeman, fireman, Nurse, paramedic, Doctor, Boat captain (that's me, and that is like being a truck driver - only at sea... and what a wonderful life... if you work for yourself, or for a good company.  There are hosts more jobs too... construction, even in the computer field... programmers, operators... etc.

Best advice I can give you is to go to your local employment or (unemployment - which ever you want to call it) and check out the jobs listed under "Merchant Marines"... they always have tons... from deck hands, to painters, even photographers... A lot of ships now are out so long, most of their maintaince is done at sea... mechanics, engineers...

In fact I know one absolutely WONDERFUL chef (he was own my vessel for six years before I retired). He was a young 24 year old graduate of the NYS Culinary Institure... (when he first came on board) and he was so good at planning and preparing meals, stocking the pantry, etc. we were paying him 6 figures in his third year (and made many other concessions)... fact was, he made it so not only did our crews food cost go down, (enough to justify his income)  but he affected the entire ship.  We were not only all eating better (wonderful) tasting and healthier foods... we were all sleeping better, working better, more alert, had more energy, attitudes were great, moral was incredible... no one missed any meals... guys on the night shift were even getting back up for the mornings' breakfast.  I mean the advantages were unbelivable... "The kid" as we called him - was worth every nickel and more to keep him from leaving us for more money.  

These days you will find teachers on research vessels, writers on freighters... and the list goes on and on...

About the only people you won't find at sea... are those modern day "boat designers" - you know the ones... they are the same ones that design all those rinky dink boats that claim to sleep 8 - but fail to tell you someone else's feet are going to be in your face, and you both - not only have to be midgets, you can't sit up in bed without knocking your self out.  They are the ones that design "heads" whereby the entire bathroom is the shower... and you still have no room to bend over and wash the sand from between your toes...

So... You could probably make a fortune being the first boat designer - that actually lived on a boat... What great boats you would design!

You name the job... and I can tell you someone that does it at sea... (with few obvious exceptions ie: post hole diggers, fence builders... cattle ranchers, etc

So... expand your horizons! (pun intended)... Contact the Coast Guard... visit the Merchant Marine Headquarters in your area... You will be amazed at the jobs avaliable at sea and at the opportunities that exist...  

Good luck!  It is a wonderful life!

Idea:  What about a husband and wife team with a Bed & Breakfast Boat - that cruises America's Great Loop?

Answer 6

Start as a deckhand on a tugboat.

Answer 7

Check out a job with the Coast Guard on a Great Lakes Ice Breaker! Not your average 9 to 5er!